No on Question 2 Campaign Meeting and Discussion

In addition to the Presidential campaign, here in Massachusetts we need to join the fight to save our public schools by keeping the current cap on the number of charter schools in our state. The NDCC is proud to co-sponsor the discussion with JALSA and Progressive Newton. The NDCC has unanimously endorsed a "no" position on Question 2 - we strongly oppose the raising of the cap on charter schools in Massachusetts.

Question 2 would allow the state to approve 12 new Commonwealth charter schools every year forever, eventually draining billions of dollars from our schools. It would encourage charters to expand into cities and towns where they don’t exist now, taking critical resources away from successful public schools.

LOST FUNDING

This year, charters will divert more than $450 million from public schools. That’s money our schools desperately need to offer more science, technology, arts, and music classes, as well as preschool services and smaller class sizes. The money should be kept in the public schools for the benefit of all students.

NO LOCAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Charter schools are not accountable to local communities. The state often approves them over the opposition of local parents and taxpayers. That’s wrong. Communities should have the final say on what kinds of schools they want.

SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL’ EDUCATION

Charter schools create a two-track system described by the NAACP as “separate and unequal.” They typically underserve English language learners and special needs students, leaving public schools with fewer resources to educate a higher-need population.